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Abattoir will finally be a reality

by Mona Mattei on 25 Mar 2012
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(L-R) Doug Zorn, Roly Russell, both with the Grand Forks Agricultural Society, and MP Dan Albas at the funding announcement Tuesday; Photo, Mona Mattei

After four years of hard work and advocacy funding is finally in place for the construction of a mobile abattoir for the Boundary region.

The realization of years of work for volunteers committed to reviving the flagging meat production in the East Boundary area, the project’s final piece in the funding puzzle fell into place as Western Economic Diversification Canada agreed to contribute $240,000.

NDP faithful picks Muclair as new leader of the party

by Contributor on 24 Mar 2012
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A jubilant Thomas Mulcair celebrates victory.

The Huffington Post

Montreal MP Thomas Mulcair has been chosen to succeed Jack Layton as leader of the New Democrat Party.

Mulcair claimed 57.2 per cent of the vote in a fourth-ballot victory over chief rival Brian Topp, who claimed 42.8 per cent.

The two front-runners were the last men standing after a day-long voting marathon that was plagued by online delays, the result of an attempted cyber-attack on the party's website.

Victoria Will Appoint Jumbo’s Municipal Council

by Bill Metcalfe on 22 Mar 2012
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Victoria Will Appoint Jumbo’s Municipal Council

The provincial government intends to develop a mountain resort municipality to govern the Jumbo Glacier Resort real estate development that it recently approved, according to East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett.

Because the new municipality near Invermere will initially have no residents, the town council will be appointed by the provincial government and will have no elected officials until such time as there are enough residents to elect a council. 

A municipality with no residents

Downtown Businesses Want City to Scrap Dog By-Law

by Bill Metcalfe on 21 Mar 2012
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Downtown Businesses Want City to Scrap Dog By-Law

The Nelson Business Association (NBA) says a majority of its members want to rescind Nelson’s dog by-law and allow leashed dogs on a trial basis.  Margaret Stacy represented the group in its presentation to City Council on March 19.

The by-law prohibiting dogs on Baker Street was enacted in the 1990s, but Stacy told Council that “the community has changed since then in many ways.” 

109 yes, 12 no

Teachers put withdrawal of extracurricular activities back on the table, vote on bargaining tactic April 17-18

by Bruce Fuhr on 21 Mar 2012
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Nelson teachers took to the streets during a three-day strike earlier this month. The teachers now get to vote on whether to up the pressure by withdrawing extracurricular activities. — The Nelson Daily photo

The B.C. Teachers Federation refuses to take the harsh realities of Bill 22 sitting down.

And using one of its only bargaining tools, the 41,000-member federation will vote on the withdrawal of extracurricular activities in April.

“This government has repeatedly demonstrated such profound disrespect for the work we do that members felt they had to take a stand,”  President Susan Lambert said on the BCTF website.

Liberal government approves Jumbo Glacier Resort development, opposing sides remain divided after announcement from Victoria

by Bruce Fuhr on 20 Mar 2012
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Liberal government approves Jumbo Glacier Resort development, opposing sides remain divided after announcement from Victoria

It’s a decision that took more than 20 years to make, but despite the B.C. Government giving approval to Jumbo Glacier Resort Master Development, the fight no doubt will go on for another two decades.

"After more than 20 years of comprehensive and exhaustive reviews, it was time to make a decision,” said Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations from Victoria.

OP/ED: Local MLA slams province's approval of Jumbo resort

by Contributor on 20 Mar 2012
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OP/ED: Local MLA slams province's approval of Jumbo resort

The BC Liberals’ announcement that they have approved the development of a resort in the Jumbo Valley is both surprising and a devastating blow to the area, says Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy.

“People in Kootenay West have written and e-mailed me to say they strongly disagree with building a resort in the Jumbo Valley,” said Conroy.  “It doesn’t make sense environmentally or economically.”

Recently, it was discovered that the proponent, despite years of claiming otherwise, does not have a financial backer.

Nathan Cullen would get my vote

by Murray Dobbin on 19 Mar 2012
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Nathan Cullen would get my vote

There are so many factors that NDP members have to look at when choosing who to vote for in their leadership race that I don’t envy them (I am not a member). How do you weigh the various elements: policies, philosophy, engaging personality, ability to take on Stephen Harper in the House, co-operation with the Liberals, and support for proportional representation? Are they likely to bring people together or cause divisions within the caucus and party?

BC Greens want government to change its tactics with BCTF

by Contributor on 18 Mar 2012
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Greens president Jane Sterk

It's time for the Liberal government to try new ideas in attempting to solve the current strife with the B.C. Teachers Federation, and not a new idea like Bill 22, says the Green Party of B.C.

Bill 22 and the current BCTF strike action represent an impossible solution to the goal of delivering the best possible public education in BC.

Castlegar/Trail rivalry renewed over regional hospital discussion

by Kyra Hoggan on 16 Mar 2012
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Castlegar/Trail rivalry renewed over regional hospital discussion

A meeting between Castlegar representatives and BC Health Minister Mike de Jong is creating conflict between Castlegar and Trail city councillors.

Castlegar councillors Kevin Chernoff and Russ Hearne, along with city manager John Malcolm, met with de Jong March 1 to discuss a variety of issues – including the possibility of a new regional hospital.

“We weren’t asking for a huge commitment of millions of dollars, but we would like them to nudge IHA (Interior Health Authority) to begin the planning process,” said Hearne, adding he thinks Castlegar is the logical place to put such facility.

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